Therapeutic device



May 7, 1963 F. DERSCH 3,038,457

THERAPEUTIC DEVICE Filed March 20, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I WWII E Z N 0 q l O 9 INVENTOR 9 Ll. mwm F. DERSCH I I ABY%JQWLJ% TT RNEYS THERAPEUTIC DEVICE Filed March 20, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

INVENTOR IRWIN F. DERSCH y 7, 1963 I. F. DERSCH 3,088,457

THERAPEUTIC DEVICE Filed March 20, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR IRWIN F. DERSCH AT ORNEYS United States Patent 3,088,457 Patented May 7, 1963 "ice 3,088,457 THERAPEUTIC DEVICE Irwin F. Dersch, Sea Cliff, N.Y., assignor of ten percent to Darby & Darby, New York, N.Y., a partnership Filed Mar. 2%), 1961, Ser. No. 96,987 Claims. (Cl. 12833) This invention relates to therapeutic devices of a passive body exercising and relaxing type.

Heretofore, devices have induced motion in bodies of persons lying thereon, in a variety of ways and in various positions on the body. These prior art devices had only a local effect since only superficial movement of the body occurred at the point of application of the vibrating element. Some devices have induced motion of the body in a variety of planes simultaneously.

Other prior art devices have attempted to enlarge the effect of the localized movement by encasing the user in traction from head to foot or by enlarging the vibrating surface that is in contact with a large portion body surface that substantial superficial body movement results. These prior art devices were bulky, costly and inconvenient to use.

Further, these prior art devices used relatively high speed, small movement vibration devices which movement did not penetrate deeply into the body tissue of the user. Additionally, these prior art devices did not simulate or utilize the natural body movements of the user to provide overall benefits to the user.

The present invention relates to a device which provides correct movement pattern of the body coupled with the reclining relaxed position in which the individual naturally abandons himself for securing maximum benefit to the user. The present device induces sweeping, rhythmic, accelerated movement in a horizontal plane. These movements are transmitted to a pad upon which the individual rests the lumbar position or lower portion of the back. Also, the upper portion of the back of the individual can rest on the pad with suitable change of movement of the pad for providing variance of application and repeat patterns. The skeleton, joint, muscle, tendon and soft tissue are motivated by the impulses of the present device for providing totality of response. The movements of the pad follow the natural body action for reaching the various systems of the body. The slow reciprocating arcing movement of the present invention by inducing natural body movements combined with the reclining position of the user provides motor activity of the entire body and attains a proper method of relaxation and mobility. The present device combines both physiological effects with qualitative aspects for inducing a motivational effect on the user.

In terms of known physiological adaptations to ordinary muscular activity, the magnitude of the stress induced by the present device is very limited. However, considering the fact that the average, middle-aged, elderly or handicapped man or woman in the United States is quite unable to indulge in strenuous exercise, this result is entirely satisfactory and offers possibilities of gradual remobilization of unfit individuals or inducing them to take a first step towards renewing active lives.

The present device although providing totality of response involves no cardiac strain of any kind. The well known physiological adjustments to active exercise, such as sweating, tachycardia, change of skin color, rapid heart beat and deep respiration are absent.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a passive body exerciser unit and relaxing device in accordance with the present invention to provide all of the above benefits wherein the person may lie prone while subjected to predetermined massaging and reciproeating action which tones up the entire body system and effects a relaxing result.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device wherein a uniplanar massaging or reciprocating effect on certain predetermined locations of the body of the user produces a deep exercise action throughout the entire body of the user without requiring traction or clamping of the body.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device wherein massaging or reciprocating action is produced in a horizontal plane and which is adjustable to provide more or less action to the body depending on the size of the user and which transmits the reciprocating action to portions of the body not directly in contact with the moving surface.

Still another object is to provide a passive body exerciser device having a movable supporting platform which is adapted to be reciprocated in a horizontal plane through a predetermined arc and to produce various forms of movement responsive to its position with respect to the driving force.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device which passively exercises a body of a person resting thereon which produces all of the above results and which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and efficient and durable in operation and use in service.

The body exercising and relaxing device according to- FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the cushion structure;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken.

along line 77 of FIGURE 5.

With reference to the drawings, the embodiment dis-' closed according to the present invention comprises a central supporting section 10. Disposed on opposite sides of central supporting unit It! and aligned therewith are body supporting members 12 and 14 supported by a' framework 16 and 18 respectively which are adapted to maintain body support members 12 and 14- a suitable distance from a floor. Framework 16 and 18 are preferably tubular to combine lightness with sufficient strength. As shown in the drawings, body support members 12 and 14 have lengths several times their widths, so that they may conveniently accommodate a human form. As shown body support members 12 and 14 are rectangular in shape although other geometric configurations may be used. The device may readily be designed, so that it is a decorative article of furniture which may be covered with suitable fabric and appear in the form of a couch. As shown framework 16 and 18 can be easily disassembled or folded for storage in a small area. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, an extension 20" is shown for supporting the feet of the user and is supported by a leg 22 for maintaining its proper distance from a floor.

Extending upwardly from, central support member 10 is a shaft 26. Mounted on the free end of shaft 26 is a platform 28. Platform 28 is preferably positioned so that its upper surface extends slightly above the plane of body support elements 12 and '14, at an elevation such that a person, shown in phantom in FIGURES 2 and 3, can lie on body support elements 12 and 14 and have predetermined portions of his body resting on platform 28 without discomfort. Platform 28 may be cushioned on its upper surface to provide a comfortable resting surface. Advantageously, the upper surface of platform 28 is tapered slightly upwardly towards the head of the user to provide a cupping action with the body of the user during reciprocating movement. Platform 28 is preferably spaced from facing ends of body support elements 12 and 14 to provide more intensive movement to the body by reason of the reciprocating movement of platform 28.

Platform 28 has a relatively slow, uniplanar reciprocating action through a predetermined are which stimulates a cycle of responses throughout the entire body of the user. The reciprocating arcing action of platform 28 acts on specified areas of the body structure of the user inducing natural body movement throughout the body of the user for stimulating the nervous system and circulatory system of the body and effectively toning up the entire body and producing a relaxed feeling in the user.

Shaft 26 is rotated through a predetermined angle in a direction indicated by arrow 27, in FIGURE 4 and rotated backwardly through a predetermined angle in a direction indicated by arrow 29. The primary source of motion is a rotating element or power source 34 as shown in FIGURE 4. Primary power source 34 as well as the coupling mechanism described below is preferably carried by or fixed within central support structure in any convenient manner. The power source 34 shown is an electric motor which reciprocates shaft 26 as will be described. Motor 34 transmits rotative power from a drive shaft to a pulley 36 fixed thereto via a belt 38 to another pulley 40 keyed to a shaft 42. Shaft 42 has a pulley 44 attached thereto which drives a belt 46 which rotates a pulley 48 about a shaft 50. Pulley 48 has attached thereto a pin 52 which is offset from shaft 50 by a predetermined eccentricity. The eccentricity of pin 52 may be adjustable if desired. Attached to pin 52 is a connecting rod 53 which is rotatably connected to a crank arm 54 about a pin 55'. Crank arm 54 is secured to shaft 26 in any convenient manner such as by keying or splining. Therefore, rotation of motor 34 provides a suitable drive ratio, so that a pin 52 is rotated at a rate of about 85 r.p.m. and which is suitably connected to reciprocate shaft 26 through a predetermined angle. Advantageously, shaft 26 rotates a total of of an inch in the path of an are for each one-half revolution of pin 52. Since platform 28 is securely attached to shaft 26 and is of a greater diameter, its reciprocating arcing movement will be similar to the movement of shaft '26 but proportionately larger. One preferred embodiment has platform with an eight inch width to provide a one and one-half inch arcing movement which would be a forward and backward movement of one and one-half inches over an arc subtended by a radius of four inches.

When a line transverse to the plane of support plate 28 and passing through its center coincides with the center line of shaft 26, as shown in FIG. 1, edges 100 and 102 of platform 28 will reciprocate through the same area in directions 56, 58 and 57', 59 respectively. With this relationship preferably the pelvic portions or lower back regions of the body of the user are positioned on support plate 28, as seen best in FIGURE 2. The reciprocating arcing movement of support plate 28 coincides with the natural fulcrum actions of the skeletal structure of the body for transmitting the movement throughout the entire skeleton of the user so as to stimulate and tone up the entire body with a minimum of strenuous efiects normally attendant with this amount of body exercise.

Moving support plate 28 off center with respect to shaft 26 in a longitudinal direction, indicated by arrow 61 in FIGURE 1, so that the center of support plate 28 is offset from the axial center of shaft 26 by a predeter mined distance, increases the arcing action of side 100 of platform 28 and decreases the arcing action at the opposite end, or side 102. Advantageously the side having an increase in arcing action is the edge facing the head of the user side 100, with the decrease in arcing action facing the feet of the user, side 102. Preferably with support plate 28 being offset in this manner, the upper back of the user is juxtaposed to the upper surface of plate 28 in a manner shown in FIGURE 3. This type of movement of the surface of support plate 28 coincides with the natural body movement of the trunk of the body and coincides with the fulcrum actions, so that movement is transmitted throughout the entire skeleton of the user.

The embodiment of support plate 28 shown in FIG- URES 5 through 7 provides an easy manner for proper positioning of the support plate with respect to supporting shaft 26 to obtain varying movement.

The supporting plate shown in FIGURES 5 through 7 includes a frame 69 having :1 depending lip 60a. Attached to the upper surface is preferably cushion material 61 for providing a comfortable surface. On opposite sides of depending lip 60a are an aligned pair of openings which receive opposite ends of a shaft 62. Shaft 62 is maintained in position by bolts 63. Slidably mounted on shaft 62 is a housing 64 which has a pair of bearing surfaces 66 and 68 which slide along the inner surface of a frame 60 and prevent any rotational movement of housing 64 about shaft 62. Preferably housing 64 has sliding bearings 70 and 72 which engage shaft 62 and reduce friction. Housing 64 has an opening 74 therein perpendicular to shaft 62 for receiving driving shaft 26 and has a smaller diameter opening 76, transverse to opening 74 for passing a pin 78 therethrough and through shaft 26 for maintaining shaft 26 in operative position in opening 74. Secured to a transverse edge of housing 64 and facing a transverse edge is a lever arm 81 which is substantially L-shaped and is of sufficient length to extend beyond depending lip 60a of frame 60 when housing 64 is in a position furthermost from the same edge beyond which lever arm 81 extends, as seen best in FIGURE 6. Lever arm 81 provides the user with easy manipulation of housing 64 along shaft 62.

Housing 64 has a series of transverse openings therethrough 80, 82 and '84, parallel to opening 74. Mounted on the underside of frame 60 by means of screws or the like 88 is a flexible arm 90. Preferably arm 90 is parallel to lever arm 81 and extends across frame 60 and beyond the same edge that lever arm 81 extends. Extending downwardly from the underside of arm 90 is a pin 92 of diameter sufiicient to be cooperatively received by openings 80, 82 or 84. Arm 90 is continually urged downwardly by means of a spring arm 94 as shown best in FIGURE 7 for forcing pin 92 into an opening aligned therewith. As shown, opening 84 is positioned for receiving pin 92, when opening 74 coincides with the center of cushion 61 so that the centers of shaft 26 and cushion 51 coincide. With cushion 61 and shaft 26 so cooperatively positioned edges 87 and 88 reciprocate through similar arcs.

Openings and 82 are positioned at a predetermined distance from opening 84 so that when arm 90 is urged upwardly, with a force sufiicient to overcome the downward force of spring 94, pin 92 is removed from opening 84 and by exerting a forward force on lever arm 81, housing 64 is moved to the right, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. Sliding housing 84 forward, and removing the upward force on arm 90 allows pin 92 to be slidably received in opening 82. If a greater offset is desired,

this forward movement is continued, and pin 92 is slidably received in opening 80. If pin 92 is received in either opening 80 or 82, the center of or the axial center of seat or cushion 61 is offset from the longitudinal center of shaft 26 a predetermined distance equal to the distance from opening '84, for providing a predetermined type of arcing movement wherein edge 87 moves through a larger arc than does edge 88. This reciprocating arcing movement has been found to correspond to the move-' ment of the trunk of the body.

While one form of providing the supporting platform 28 in either coincident relationship with arcing shaft 26 or offset relationship therewith is shown, other means of accomplishing this may be used.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a person may be placed on platform 28 so that the pelvic area rests thereon and by having the platform 28 move at a reciprocating arcing motion so that its opposite axial edges move through the same arc, or by offsetting support plate 28 with the axis of the driving shaft 26 so that different arcing movements result on opposite ends and resting the upper shoulder area of the person on platform 28, the entire skeleton structure of the user is massaged and exercised. The low rate of reciprocating arcing movement sends waves of motion throughout the internal structure of the body for subjecting the entire skeleton structure of the body to an exercising effect.

The uniplanar arcing movement of platform 28 provides more or less action when applied to the body of the user depending on the body size of the individual, since the greater the distance from the center line of the arcing shaft, the greater the arc. Thus, the movement of the platform can be adjusted according to the body size of the user and thereby allowing the same arcing movement to be used for all body structures.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes may be made in the construction of this device without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, and accordingly should not be limited to the precise illustration given but What has been set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A platform for coacting with a passive exercising device having a reciprocating shaft for providing variable arcing movement comprising, a frame, cushion material attached to the upper surface of said frame, a housing slidably mounted on the underside of said frame, said housing having means for operatively engaging said reciprocating shaft for providing said platform with uniplanar, reciprocating arcing movement, second means adapted to lock said housing and said frame when the transverse line passing through the center of said cushion material is coaxially aligned with the axis of said shaft, said second means further being adapted to lock said housing with respect to said frame when the center line of said shaft is offset from said transverse line passing through the center of said cushion material a predetermined distance along the longitudinal axis of said exercising device, for providing uneven arcing movement of opposite edges.

2. A method of passively exercising and relaxing cornprising reciprocating an edge of a horizontal surface through a predetermined arc, reciprocating an opposite edge of said surface through a smaller arc, placing a horizontally disposed body support surface adjacent opposite sides of said reciprocating surface and axially aligning said surfaces, mounting a person on said body support surfaces with the head of said person facing the same direction as said edge of said horizontal surface reciprocating through a predetermined arc, and resting the upper back of said person on said reciprocating surface.

3. A therapeutic device comprising spaced apart body supporting means adapted to receive a patient in a supine position, a generally horizontally disposed platform set in said space between said body supporting means, and means for oscillating said platform eccentric to the axis of said platform so that one edge of said platform facing a body support means oscillates through a different are than its opposite edge.

4. A therapeutic device comprising spaced apart body supporting means adapted to receive a patient in a supine position, a back exercising platform set between said body supporting means, oscillation generating means disposed under said platform and having a vertical fulcrum offset from the axis of said platform, and means coupling said fulcrum eccentric to the axis of said platform so that when said oscillation generating means operates said plat-form eccentrically oscillates with one edge going through a greater are than its opposite edge.

5. A therapeutic device comprising spaced apart body supporting means adapted to receive a patient in a supine position, a back exercising platform set between said body supporting means, oscillation generating means disposed under said platform and having a vertical fulcrum offset from the axis of said platform, said fulcrum attached to said platform offset from the axis of said platform so that when said oscillation generating means operates said platform laterally oscillates with one edge through a greater arc than its opposite edge, and means for slidably changing said attachment of said fulcrum to said platform to vary the degree of offset.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,222,422 Nelson Nov. 19, 1940 2,637,319 Bruene May 5, 1953 2,689,127 Silverton Sept. 14, 1954 2,923,289 Carson Feb. 2, 1960 

3. A THERAPEUTIC DEVICE COMPRISING SPACED APART BODY SUPPORTING MEANS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PATIENT IN A SUPINE POSITION, A GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED PLATFORM SET IN SAID SPACE BETWEEN SAID BODY SUPPORTING MEANS, AND MEANS FOR OSCILLATING SAID PLATFROM ECCENTRIC TO THE AXIS OF SAID PLATFROM SO THAT ONE EDGE OF SAID PLATFROM FACING A BODY SUPPORT MEANS OSCILLATES THROUGH A DIFFERENT ARC THAN ITS OPPOSITE EDGE. 